The Guide to Hosting a Family Christmas

Entertain your guests as soon as they step through the door. The clue to a good party is to delegate so make sure your helpful teenage relatives are there to whisk off coats, re-fill water jugs and ice buckets and serve from a tray of nibbles and canapés. For those with fidgety hands, it’s never too early to get the party started. Don’t be afraid to pull out the card games, perfect conversation starters for newly inducted family members.

Think of your table as the main stage, and doorframes and tabletops as the sideshow. Play up a sense of scale and colour whether that’s evergreens mixed with giant paper crowns; or jewel bright baubles and generous sprays of faux snow. Giant sprigs of rosemary, and pinecones lend a delicious smell to the room. Place a scented candle in the bathroom but leave the dining area to be invaded by abundant cooking smells. Don’t forget, the more hands on deck the merrier; half the joy of the season is in sharing and it brings with it a wonderful sense of familial warmth. Get your loved ones to assist with napkin folding, last minute tree adorning, laying out serving spoons and glassware, and chopping herbs and crushing spices to help kick-start the communal party atmosphere. Offer up festive aprons to your willing helpers.

Make sure you have plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep the little ones occupied. DIY kits, colouring books and stuffed toys will provide endless fun. Encourage the over-excited and energetic to go on a big post-lunch walk and return for a well-deserved mini-me nap before night falls and the party starts again.